Vaccine Information

At the time of publication of this document, there are no vaccines required for entry to South Africa from the US/Canada but that is subject to change based on country requirements and you are responsible for any vaccine requirements set by your program countries. If you are arriving in South Africa from another country (including flights stopping first in another country), you are responsible for understanding any vaccine requirements that may apply. 

According to both the CDC and the World Health Organization, you do not need a Malaria prophylaxis for travel to South Africa. For any questions concerning other vaccines, please check with your physician or a travel health clinic. 

COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for all programs but not required. We strongly encourage you to be "up to date" (AKA get any boosters for which you are eligible). 

Costa Rica

At the time of publication of this document, there are no vaccines required for entry to Costa Rica from the US/Canada but that is subject to change based on country requirements and you are responsible for any vaccine requirements set by your program countries. If you are arriving in Costa Rica from another country (including flights stopping first in another country), you are responsible for understanding any vaccine requirements that may apply.

The CDC currently does not recommend malaria prophylactics for the Puntarenas province, where our sea turtle and dolphin programs are located. BUT  it does currently recommend malaria prophylactics for the Alajuela province, where the Rescue Center, San Jose. You may want to consult with a travel doctor about whether a malaria preventative makes sense for you and your travels.

You may also want to speak to your doctor about the Typhoid vaccine. It is possible to contract Typhoid through contaminated food and water in Costa Rica. You may choose a Typhoid vaccine if you want to mitigate this risk. Loop Abroad will provide safe drinking water on all programs.

The new Dengue Fever vaccine is not recommended by the World Health Organization for people who have not had Dengue before. Preventing Dengue Fever is important in Costa Rica. Dengue is transmitted by mosquitoes and is best avoided by wearing long sleeves and pants and wearing mosquito repellant at all times. There have been cases of Dengue Fever in the program areas. The best prevention is wearing mosquito repellant at all times.

Turtles

Recommend that all students consider having up-to-date COVID, Tetanus, MMR, and Hepatitis A and B vaccines.

At the time of writing, the CDC currently does not recommend malaria prophylactics for the Puntarenas province, where our sea turtle and dolphin programs are located. It does currently recommend prophylactics for the Alajuela province, where the Rescue Center, San Jose, and the dog programs take place.

It is possible to contract Typhoid through contaminated food and water in Costa Rica. You may choose a Typhoid vaccine if you want to mitigate this risk.

Preventing Dengue Fever is important in Costa Rica. Dengue is transmitted by mosquitoes, and is best avoided by wearing long sleeves and pants, and wearing mosquito repellant at all times. There have been cases of Dengue Fever in the program areas. The new Dengue Fever vaccine is not recommended by the World Health Organization for people who have not had Dengue before. The best prevention is wearing mosquito repellant at all times.

For any questions concerning other vaccines, please check with your physician or a travel health clinic. Read more information on vaccines here. 

Panama

At the time of publication of this document, there are no other vaccines required for entry to Panama from the US/Canada or for enrolling in a Loop Abroad program but that is subject to change based on country requirements and you are responsible for any vaccine requirements set by your program countries.  If you are arriving in Panama from another country (including flights stopping first in another country), you are responsible for understanding any vaccine requirements that may apply. 

Please note that if you plan to travel on to another country other than the US or Canada after visiting Panama, proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination might be required. It is your responsibility to understand and adhere to any such requirements. You do not need a Yellow Fever vaccine to travel into Costa Rica from Panama. You do need a Yellow Fever vaccination to travel into Thailand from Panama.

You may also want to speak to your doctor about the Typhoid vaccine. It is possible to contract Typhoid through contaminated food and water in Costa Rica. You may choose a Typhoid vaccine if you want to mitigate this risk. Loop Abroad will provide safe drinking water on all programs.

Preventing Dengue Fever is important in Panama. Dengue is transmitted by mosquitoes, and is best avoided by wearing long sleeves and pants, and wearing mosquito repellant at all times. There have been cases of Dengue Fever in the program areas. The new Dengue Fever vaccine is not recommended by the World Health Organization for people who have not had Dengue before. The best prevention is wearing mosquito repellant at all times.

At the time of publication of this document, there are no other vaccines required for entry to Australia from the US/Canada but that is subject to change based on country requirements and you are responsible for any vaccine requirements set by your program countries. If you are arriving in Australia from another country (including flights stopping first in another country), you are responsible for understanding any vaccine requirements that may apply.

Australia Wildlife Hospital

Many people worry about venomous animals in Australia – you don’t need to worry, but you do need to be prepared. On the first day of your program, you will complete a snake and spider safety course that will prepare you for a safe experience. Snake sightings are rare during the winter (when our programs run). Funnel Web spiders do live in the area (venomous), but are rare: one has been seen on the property in twelve years. They are extremely unlikely, but a bite would require a trip to the hospital. The hospital carries a full range of anti-venom and can treat for snake and spider bites in the very, very rare case that such treatment is required. Adequate preparation and following project rules can keep you safe.

Australia Pre-Vet 

We do not require a rabies vaccine as rabies does not occur in land-dwelling mammals in Australia. Because it can occur in flying foxes, we do require a rabies vaccine in order to interact with the flying foxes. This is required in Australia at ZAA-accredited facilities such as Walkabout Wildlife Park. Students who do not have a rabies vaccine that is up-to-date, documented, and complete (2 shots) will not be able to handle or interact with flying foxes but will be able to interact with all other animals on the project. Students who are rabies-vaccinated will be required to upload proof of their completed, up-to-date rabies vaccination to their CampDoc Enrollment Forms. You must have two rabies shots to be deemed up-to-date by the facility in Australia. 

Notes on Rabies Vaccination: The flying fox interaction for vaccinated students will happen once per program during a 90 minute session and may include activities such as feeding, weighing, and handling. There may be another opportunity to clean the enclosure and be in with the bats.

Last year, some students who got the vaccine felt that they wasted money on the rabies vaccine (which is quite expensive in the US and requires 2 doctors visits on a timed schedule). Some students who did not get the vaccine felt that they missed out and that they should have been encouraged to get vaccinated. It’s entirely your choice whether you feel the investment is worthwhile. If you are not vaccinated, you will have other activities to do during the flying fox interaction and you’ll still be able to see the flying foxes from outside their enclosure.

It may be worth noting that most if not all US vet schools require a rabies vaccination, so it could be that you’ll be needing the vaccine soon anyway.

Dengue fever is common throughout Thailand where our programs are located. The best way to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne illnesses is to be vigilant about using a DEET-based bug spray. For your doctor’s information, most activities on this program take place in or directly around Chiang Mai City or Koh Tao Island, with the following exceptions:

• The Elephant Nature Park is roughly 65km North of Chiang Mai. 

• Zip lining is roughly 50km East of Chiang Mai.

Some students choose to get vaccinated for Japanese Encephalitis or Typhoid. For any questions concerning other vaccines or health risks, please consult your physician or a travel health clinic.

At the time of writing, the Thai medical authorities do not recommend antimalarials for tourists to the areas of Thailand where we travel because cases of malaria are rare. Please be aware that antimalarials commonly cause stomach upset and other side effects. 

Vet School 

At the time of writing, the Thai medical authorities do not recommend antimalarials for tourists to the areas of Thailand where we travel because cases of malaria are rare. Please be aware that antimalarials commonly cause stomach upset and other side effects.

High School and Pre-Vet College Medicine 

At the time of publication of this document, there are no vaccines required for entry to Thailand from the US/Canada but that is subject to change based on country requirements and you are responsible for any vaccine requirements set by your program countries. If you are arriving in Thailand from another country (including flights stopping first in another country), you are responsible for understanding any vaccine requirements that may apply.

4-Week Experience

At the time of writing, there are no other vaccines required for entry to Thailand from the US/Canada or for enrolling in a Loop Abroad program, but this is subject to change. Your program country may change its rules and you are ultimately responsible for any new vaccine requirements. If you are arriving in Thailand from another country (including flights stopping first in another country), you are responsible for understanding any vaccine requirements that may apply.

Vet Tech 

All participants in this program should be vaccinated for rabies since they will be working with stray dog populations.

At the time of writing, there are no other vaccines required for entry to Thailand from the US/Canada or for enrolling in a Loop Abroad program, but this is subject to change. Your program country may change its rules and you are ultimately responsible for any new vaccine requirements. If you are arriving in Thailand from another country (including flights stopping first in another country), you are responsible for understanding any vaccine requirements that may apply.

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

Vet Tech 

All participants in this program should be vaccinated for rabies since they will be working with stray dog populations. More information coming Soon!

There are no requirements for all programs in the US. 

If you cancel your enrollment less than 35 days before travel for any reason at all, you aren't eligible for a tuition refund. 

Every program has 24/7 staff to help you get medical attention if you get sick. It's important that you have appropriate medical insurance in case you need medical treatment abroad.

If you are required to test for COVID, and test positive for COVID during your program (and you don't have proof of recent recovery), you will need to isolate for 24 hours until you are fever-free and your symptoms are improving. Then you can join the group and we will ask you to mask for 5 days.

Read the latest US CDC guidance on what to do if you have COVID or other respiratory viruses

There may be additional requirements based on the rules of your program country or host. COVID-19 regulations continue to change in each country and could change again before your program begins or during your program. 

If someone in your group gets sick with COVID or other respiratory viruses, you will be required to test for COVID if you are symptomatic.

Because most program housing is shared with 3 or more people, you may share a room with a student who has recently tested positive for COVID if they are fever-free and their symptoms are improving.

There may be additional requirements based on the rules of your program country or host.